Runner's World described Droddy as a track-and-field super fan who bought a ticket to watch the Olympic trials before he unexpectedly qualified to compete.

"It’s like getting a backstage pass to see your favorite band. But then the band invites you on stage and gives you a guitar," Runner's World's Kit Fox wrote.

He made it there because a running group in Boulder that has no budget took a chance on him last November. Droddy may have crashed the Olympic Trials. But he worked prodigiously to do it.

--Runner's World

Droddy is a 2013 graduate of DePauw University, where he was captain of the track team, according to Runner's World. He lived with his parents in Indianapolis until November, when he moved to Colorado and joined a competitive running team.

Droddy hadn’t cut his hair in three years, had a full beard, was once in a punk rock band called “Where’s the Cake,” and was willing to move to Boulder almost immediately. He was offered a slot on the team after two phone calls.

--Runner's World

Droddy finished last in the 10,000 meter race.

He won't be going to Rio, but his fans are already looking ahead to the 2020 Olympics.